Balmer’s status has changed

Kentwan Balmer is now officially AWOL. The former top round pick of the 49ers disappeared from the team on Monday. Coach Mike Singletary allowed the defensive tackle a day to figure out his issue and return to the team. Balmer hasn’t returned and the 49ers are now terming his status from an excused absence to un-excused.

Internet speculation says Balmer might be part of the NCAA’s investigation into violations by his former school, North Carolina.

Balmer’s lack of production has been the major issue since the 49ers chose him with the 29th overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. In his two-year career, Balmer’s made 40 tackles and no sacks.

Here’s Mike Singletary’s statements about Balmer:

That is a personal issue. As far as I’m concerned, we’re going to move forward and I told Kentwan to be here this morning. He was not. For us, we’re going to move forward. I’m not going to get into any details of what it is about what he’s doing, what he’s dealing with, whatever. I think you guys know where he lives, or if you find out, you can ask him and I’ll let him talk about it. The thing that I want to talk about are the guys who are on the team. I want to talk about what’s happening out here. Kentwan Balmer and the situation with him will not be a distraction to us. We’ll continue to move forward. We had a pretty decent practice today. So on that note, I would appreciate if there was no manipulation of questions on Kentwan. I’m done with that.

Q: It’s a team issue though?

A: It is not. It is not a distraction, it is not a team issue. We are moving forward.

Q: By moving forward, you mean?

A: What I’m saying is, at this point right now, I told Kentwan to be here this morning. He is not here. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t know what he’s doing but there is not going to be any phone calls, ‘Kentwan, what you doing …’ I’m done with that. All I’m concerned about are the guys out here.

Q: Not so understanding of this absence because he’s under contract?

A: Let me say this. I talked to Kentwan as simple as I can put it. I asked him to be here. He’s not here. Yes, he is under contract and the fact that he’s not here, that speaks to me. What it says, I really don’t know … to him, I don’t know what it says but to us, all I know is he’s not here. Fine. We’re practicing. We’re doing what we have to do. We’re going to move forward.

Q: Will he be released?

A: You know what? Here we go again. I don’t want to go there. I’m done with that. I’m done. I don’t want to say anything further than that. Kentwan, if you guys want any information about Kentwan, go to Kentwan.

Q: How was he doing?

A: He was doing OK. He was doing OK. Now, I’m done with Kentwan.

Q: Can he help this team?

A: You talking about Kentwan? Guys, here’s the deal. I don’t want to answer any more questions about Kentwan. I’m done with Kentwan. If Kentwan comes back, I’ll let him talk to you about whatever his issue is but I really don’t want to talk about Kentwan. I want to talk about the guys that are out here. We’re trying to win football games, we’re trying to become a better football team. I don’t want to talk about something that’s not here.

Q: NaVorro Bowman?

A: Hey! That’s it! There we go. Now we’re working.

Q: Backup to Justin Smith now?

A: We just have to look at it right now, probably have to bring in another player. But as far as Justin Smith’s backup, they’re all competing either for starting jobs or No. 2 spots so I don’t know that. Right now we just need to continue to watch film, evaluate and see who best fits that spot.

Practice Notes: The 49ers worked out for about 90 minutes in a non-padded practice. The play of the day: Nate Davis throwing a 50-yard bomb to Kyle Williams for a TD. WR Michael Crabtree got a second day of vet rest.